Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 40

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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【Bloodline is a Thug Chapter 40】

Chapter 40: Keeping Promises (1)

Inside a dimly lit room.
Kwon Chan-seong sat at his work desk, staring at the monitor before him.
The screen displayed information about the monster he would need to subjugate next.
An SS-rank monster: Hecaton.
A creature resembling a bear, standing over fifty meters tall, its entire body composed of wood and stone. Moreover, it possessed the ability to generate endless clones with destructive power identical to its main body.
While not quite as catastrophic as the SSS-rank calamity Eclipse that Kwon Chan-seong had subjugated previously, Hecaton was nonetheless classified as a global-scale disaster—equally perilous.
The Heukcheon Group had entrusted Hecaton’s subjugation entirely to Kwon Chan-seong. It was proof of just how elevated his position had become.
“…Sigh.”
Despite being assigned such a critical mission, Kwon Chan-seong found himself unable to focus on the documents. His mind was consumed by other thoughts entirely.
“What am I supposed to do about that bastard.”
Just as Kwon Chan-seong muttered this under his breath, his phone suddenly rang.
He checked the name displayed on his smartphone screen.
Kwon Hyuk.
His father.
“….”
Kwon Chan-seong didn’t answer immediately. Only after taking a breath and collecting his thoughts did he pick up the call.
“Father, what is it.”
-Well, well, my son. Why do you answer your father’s call so coldly?
A playful tone came through the phone. Yet the wariness that appeared on Kwon Chan-seong’s face remained unchanged.
-So, how are the subjugation preparations coming along?
“Yes, it seems everything will be finished within this month.”
-That’s my son for you. Truly excellent.
Despite the affectionate response dripping with warmth, Kwon Chan-seong maintained his vigilance.
Unlike others, his father was not someone who made calls without good reason.
-But why haven’t you dealt with Kwon Han-ul yet?
Kwon Chan-seong’s fists clenched involuntarily. His caution had proven justified.
-I’ve heard everything. You tried to eliminate Kwon Han-ul and failed, didn’t you?
“That was….”
-And you even got exposed to the Chairman.
On the day of Kwon Han-ul’s debut ceremony.
Kwon Chan-seong had inserted one of Eclipse’s tentacles into the dungeon to kill Kwon Han-ul.
Eclipse’s blood causes monsters to mutate into far more powerful forms. The Platinum-rank dungeon where Kwon Han-ul was supposed to hold his debut ceremony had its danger level increased all the way to Diamond-rank.
Until that point, Kwon Chan-seong had been certain Kwon Han-ul would die. But defying that certainty, Kwon Han-ul cleared the dungeon entirely on his own.
And far too easily at that.
-When I entrusted Kwon Han-ul to you, do you remember what I told you? Didn’t I say that if you’re going to kill him, you must do it early on?
Kwon Hyuk’s tone was remarkably gentle. He didn’t sound like someone reproaching another at all. Precisely because of this, Kwon Chan-seong found himself growing increasingly tense.
-You’ve only failed once, but what came of it? What has Kwon Han-ul accomplished since then?
He won alone in the friendly match against the Mei Family. In the war that followed, he killed the Sword Saint of the Hundred Swords.
-Right now you stand in a position far superior to his, but that won’t last long. Given his growth rate, he’ll soon stand at the exact same level as you.
Kwon Hyuk’s words carried not concern but certainty.
-His origins are tainted, so he hasn’t gained the support of most of the bloodline, but… Heukcheon operates by the logic of power. The entire clan will soon acknowledge Kwon Han-ul.
Kwon Hyuk fell silent for a moment.
-So what do you intend to do now?
“I will handle it without fail in the coming days.”
-How?
Kwon Hyuk’s voice rose slightly.
-The name Kwon Han-ul has already spread throughout the entire Kwon Family. It’s beginning to spread beyond the clan as well.
A famous person inevitably draws attention from many eyes.
And when many are watching, it becomes difficult to lay a hand on someone.
-Moreover, the Chairman is already protecting Kwon Han-ul.
Competition is encouraged, but bloodshed is forbidden.
That was Kwon Seon-woo’s stance. He was a man who enjoyed weighing and evaluating people’s worth, but he had no desire to see the clan stained with blood.
-It’s nearly impossible to eliminate Kwon Han-ul without the Chairman’s notice. So how exactly do you plan to dispose of him?
Kwon Chan-seong couldn’t speak carelessly. Just as his father said, it was nearly impossible to do anything to Kwon Han-ul without the Chairman’s notice.
-Pathetic wretch.
At those words alone, Kwon Chan-seong’s body trembled.
-Do you know why I entrusted that bastard to you?
“I don’t know, sir.”
Kwon Chan-seong answered honestly.
His father, Kwon Hyuk, was a man who tolerated no rivals. He had always stepped forward personally to eliminate his competitors.
But this time, he hadn’t resolved it himself—he’d entrusted it to Kwon Chan-seong.
-Because that bastard is Kwon Cheon’s child.
Kwon Cheon.
Kwon Hyuk’s younger brother. Kwon Han-ul’s father. And the man who was Kwon Chan-seong’s uncle.
-I refuse to acknowledge that my own blood is inferior to that man’s child.
Kwon Chan-seong felt a chill run down his spine.
His father never forgave those who disappointed him.
Even if they were his own children.
-I’m giving you one last chance.
Kwon Chan-seong straightened his posture.
-I’ll send you a number. Work with that person to eliminate Kwon Han-ul.
“Understood.”
Click—the call ended. Moments later, a text message arrived.
The message contained a phone number and the name of its owner.
“…This doesn’t make sense.”
The moment Kwon Chan-seong saw the name, he couldn’t help but be flustered.
“No matter what, I can’t share bloodline with this woman….”
Kwon Chan-seong was engulfed in intense conflict.
The pride he had built as a member of the Heukcheon bloodline held him back. This couldn’t happen. Anything but this.
But at the same time, reason, fear, and instinct issued their warnings.
If he defied his father’s expectations, he would live a life worse than death itself.
“….”
Kwon Chan-seong squeezed his eyes shut. Soon after, he entered a number into his smartphone.
-Oh my, you actually called.
A young woman’s voice came through the phone. Kwon Chan-seong feigned composure as he spoke.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Catalina Blaga.”
A tickling laugh echoed through the receiver.

* * *

Late afternoon.
Kwon Han-ul gazed quietly at two objects resting on his desk.
A golden apple tree seed and the sacred marrow water to germinate it.
With this, I could finally raise one of my stats to S-rank.
It was joyous news, but I couldn’t obtain the golden apple just yet.
“You need soil from a Dungeon?”
Joo Ha-yeon nodded at my question.
“Earth’s soil cannot support a golden apple seed. Dungeon soil is necessary.”
I had heard of this before.
That the soil inside Dungeons was far superior in quality to Earth’s soil and contained many special components.
So even the same crops grown in Dungeon soil supposedly had richer flavor and more abundant nutrients.
“Ordinary Dungeon soil won’t suffice. We need high-quality soil befitting the golden apple seed’s grade.”
“Hearing that, the conditions seem quite demanding.”
I clicked my tongue briefly.
Earth had plenty of land, but places suitable for farming were extremely rare. The same applied to Dungeons. In fact, one could say it was even worse.
Dungeons produce all sorts of terrain mixed together. Wastelands, deserts, even the Sea.
How easy would it be to find among all that something suitable for growing crops, and with good quality at that?
“Could we obtain it from the family’s Warehouse?”
“There’s no stock available. Dungeon soil is such a popular item….”
“Sigh.”
I sighed without realizing it.
“This is troublesome when I don’t even have the money to buy it elsewhere.”
The Kwon Family was wealthy, but I personally had no money.
“I could purchase it for you, however….”
Joo Ha-yeon spoke carefully. Kwon Han-ul shook his head.
“I couldn’t possibly accept your help, Miss Ha-yeon. Besides, wouldn’t the Chairman be disappointed if I did?”
“A sound judgment.”
Considering the Chairman’s tendency to enjoy evaluating people, this was likely another test.
But there was no way around it. If I couldn’t find a clever solution, I could always postpone it for later.
“Still, I’d like to obtain the Golden Apple as quickly as possible.”
The gap between S-rank and A-rank abilities was like heaven and earth.
That immense power was right before my eyes. The thought of having to wait again was unbearably frustrating.
Then Joo Ha-yeon spoke up.
“Just in case, I’ve already looked into dungeons where we can obtain soil.”
“Really?”
Kwon Han-ul’s eyes brightened. He hadn’t expected her to prepare that far ahead.
“Among the dungeons currently being operated by the Heukcheon Group, there’s only one dungeon where we can obtain soil suitable for the Golden Apple.”
“What kind of dungeon is it?”
“It’s a Gold-class dungeon. The interior is a forest terrain, and numerous Mud Trolls inhabit it.”
Mud Trolls.
They inhabit deep forests and, unusually for trolls, live in groups.
They have calm temperaments and enjoy napping buried in soil and mud, which is how they earned the name Mud Trolls.
That was all Kwon Han-ul knew about them. Mud Trolls were rare monsters, so there wasn’t much public information available.
“Mud Trolls sustain themselves by consuming soil and medicinal herbs. That’s why their bodies contain vast quantities of soil.”
“So if we obtain that soil, we can grow the Golden Apple?”
“Yes. In particular, the White Soil obtained from the leader is a premium material that trades at a high price. If we cultivate the Golden Apple using White Soil, its efficacy might increase even further.”
It was an enticing prospect.
The Golden Apple was already a spiritual fruit that definitively raised one ability stat to S-rank.
If its efficacy increased further, just imagining the possibilities made my body tremble with anticipation.
“However, there is one concern….”
“Is there a problem?”
“That dungeon is currently being cleared by Kwon Ji-seok.”
Kwon Han-ul felt puzzled. Hadn’t Kwon Ji-seok been denied permission to form a team?
“Thanks to his distinguished performance in the war against the Mei Family, the Chairman granted him permission to establish a team. So he chose the Mud Troll Dungeon as a training ground to synchronize his team.”
Kwon Han-ul nodded. Kwon Ji-seok’s performance back then had indeed been remarkable.
“Since the relationship between the two of you isn’t particularly good, I’m uncertain whether he would grant the request….”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Kwon Han-ul spoke with confidence. Joo Ha-yeon’s expression showed bewilderment.
“He has a debt to repay to me anyway.”

* * *

The next day, Kwon Han-ul set out for Busan.
Kwon Ji-seok was currently conducting a Dungeon conquest in Busan.
The Dungeon had been generated on a remote stretch of beach.
Around the elliptical Dungeon, Kwon Ji-seok and his team members were positioned, along with Heukcheon Group employees assisting with the conquest.
“What? Why did you come? And you brought Ha-yeon too?”
As expected, Kwon Ji-seok greeted Kwon Han-ul with a remarkably curt attitude.
Though they had fought as comrades at the Mei Family Compound, Kwon Ji-seok’s demeanor remained unchanged.
Since Kwon Han-ul had anticipated this reaction, he paid it no mind and stated his purpose.
“I came to obtain some mud from the Mud Troll.”
“…Are you insane? Why would I give that to you!”
Having expected this as well, Kwon Han-ul let Kwon Ji-seok’s anger go in one ear and out the other.
“Asking for some mud isn’t such an unreasonable request, is it?”
“Don’t try to fool me. You’re not after ordinary mud—you want the Sacred Marrow Water that the leader secretes!”
Kwon Ji-seok immediately saw through Kwon Han-ul’s true intention and flew into a rage.
“The Sacred Marrow Water is already promised to a buyer!”
“Already promised? To whom are you selling it?”
“I don’t know.”
When Kwon Han-ul frowned, Kwon Ji-seok quickly added an explanation.
“A buyer that my older brother arranged for me. I can’t sell it to anyone else.”
“Your older brother?”
“Yes. In fact, my brother transferred the conquest rights to this Dungeon to me on the condition that I sell the Sacred Marrow Water to this buyer. So there’s no way I’m handing it over to you. Give up.”
“Is there really a buyer?”
“Who are you doubting! They even contacted me saying they’d visit soon!”
Kwon Han-ul fell into brief contemplation. If a buyer had already been decided, it would be proper to leave it alone.
But considering what both Kwon Ji-seok and Kwon Chan-seong had done to him, there seemed to be no need for such restraint.
Besides, didn’t Kwon Chan-seong also owe him a debt?
“If you keep refusing like this, I’ll be in a difficult position.”
“What? Difficult?”
“You promised me. That you’d grant me one request, anything I wanted.”
A few months ago, Kwon Han-ul had made a wager with Kwon Ji-seok in the Kwon Family Workshop.
Naturally, Kwon Han-ul had won, and the loser, Kwon Ji-seok, had to promise to grant Kwon Han-ul’s request without fail.
“Surely you’re not thinking of breaking a promise as a pure-blooded member of the Kwon Family, are you?”
At those words, Kwon Ji-seok’s expression twisted sharply.
“Y-you bastard, are you threatening me? You think I’ll just take this lying down!”
Kwon Ji-seok’s face went pale.
Though it was merely a verbal promise, if Kwon Han-ul spread word of this, Kwon Ji-seok’s honor would inevitably be tarnished.
“What will you do?”
Kwon Han-ul asked in a subtle tone. Kwon Ji-seok ground his teeth.
“…Still no.”
Kwon Han-ul stared at Kwon Ji-seok intently.
“No, that look won’t change anything—it just won’t work!”
“It seems your promise with your brother is quite important to you?”
“No, that’s not it… Well, that part’s true… But the thing is… Actually, there’s a different problem that’s a bit….”
Hesitation flickered across Kwon Ji-seok’s face. Only after releasing several heavy sighs did he finally confess.
“…I haven’t been able to clear the Dungeon.”
A truly shocking truth, at that.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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